Hoyer on Boehner's Placing Blame on Generals

WASHINGTON - House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer released the following statement this evening regarding comments made by Majority Leader John Boehner on CNN:

"John Boehner’s comments defending Donald Rumsfeld and, by implication, laying the blame for our failures in Iraq on the military just shows how out of touch he is with the American people and the situation on the ground in Iraq. The responsibility for the gross miscalculations and incompetence in the war in Iraq lies with the Secretary of Defense and ultimately with the Commander in Chief. Our troops have performed brilliantly, with honor and courage. Any suggestion otherwise is outrageous.”

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House Majority Leader John Boehner: Wolf, I understand that, but let's not blame what's happening in Iraq on Rumsfeld.

Wolf Blitzer: But he's in charge of the military.

House Majority Leader John Boehner: But the fact is the generals on the ground are in charge and he works closely with them and the president.